MANAGING RISKS IN LOADING DOCK AND WAREHOUSE ENVIRONMENTS
3
100-CAU-01-IGDO © 2025, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | WSPS.CA
Hazard 2: Lifting Below the Knees and Above the Shoulders
Details
Workers must keep bending forward at the waist to put boxes on the lower levels of pallets
Some loads come in too high and need to have the top rows removed to fit into bin bay
Many times, receivers start to lift right after sitting on the forklift for long periods of time.
Muscles tire quickly when you work in a fixed or awkward position, causing higher risk of injury
Threat
Lower and upper back injuries
Shoulder injuries
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tennis elbow
Shoulder bursitis
Safe Work Guidelines
Make sure that you have had enough training on lifting hazards and proper lifting techniques
Ask your employer for ergonomically designed tools to reduce the stress on your body
Pay attention to the postures you use when working
Whenever possible, rotate duties so that you can vary your postures
Adjust the height of the forks to get your load to an ideal height
Use a stable step stool or platform to reach high items and place extra product on raised skids
Allow time to warm up your back muscles after sitting on the forklift and before hand-bombing
Consider using forklift attachments like slipsheet clamps or carton clamps
WSPS.CA
